'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tai Tuivasa easily scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 271 when he knocked out Derrick Lewis in the second round. The win saw him jump up eight spots in the UFC rankings and his next bout is certain to be a big-time affair.
The timing of the win is also great for 'Bam Bam' as the heavyweight division is currently an exciting place. The champion, Francis Ngannou, appears set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, making an interim title bout necessary. Tai Tuivasa certainly has a case to be involved in that potential matchup.
Even if the fight for gold proves to be slightly out of reach for the surging Australian, there are plenty of other big matches out there for Tai Tuivasa. With him now on a five-fight winning streak, his next opponent is bound to be one of the very best the heavyweight division has to offer.
With that in mind, here are five potential opponents for Tai Tuivasa after his UFC 271 victory:
#5. Tai Tuivasa vs. Curtis Blaydes
Following Tuivasa's fight on Saturday, there was speculation that one option for his next fight could be the winner of Curtis Blaydes versus Chris Daukaus. Blaydes and Daukaus are scheduled to fight on March 26. But in truth, only one of these men makes sense as a potential next opponent for the Australian.
Chris Daukaus is coming off a KO loss to Derrick Lewis. Lewis is the same man who Tai Tuivasa just finished. Therefore a win for Daukaus in March would likely not be enough to elevate him to a comparable level as 'Bam Bam.' But if the Blaydes were to win, this one might become a more realistic option. "Therefore a win for Daukaus in March would likely not be enough to elevate him to a comparable level as 'Bam Bam".
While Blaydes also suffered a defeat to Lewis not so long ago, a win against Daukaus would make it two in a row. He is also next to Tuivasa in the rankings. Therefore, should the Australian not be able to secure a bout for the interim gold next, a fight with Blaydes may become the obvious next step.
#4. Tai Tuivasa vs. Tom Aspinall
Tai Tuivasa should watch UFC London closely as it will be headlined by a heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall. Much like the last entry, a win for one of these men would produce a more logical matchup for Tuivasa than the other.
As good as Volkov is, his three most recent losses came against Ciryl Gane, Curtis Blaydes, and Derrick Lewis
However, if Aspinall wins, a clash of the new top heavyweight contenders could be incredibly intriguing. Should an interim title fight evade Tuivasa, this bout would allow him to cement his status as the best of the new breed of heavyweights.
#3. Tai Tuivasa vs. Jon Jones
The only way Tuivasa would have a chance of securing this bout would be if he was inserted into an interim title bout. If that does prove to be the case, it could set up a huge title fight with Jon Jones, which only ranks a little lower here since it would take many things to fall into place.
At the moment, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are likely the favorites to secure an interim title fight. However, Tuivasa is probably third in line, so it would just take some complications with Miocic to set up this bout.
Regarding what could happen to set up this bout, the UFC could be frustrated by the former champion's inactivity and instead choose to reward Tuivasa's activities. Alternatively, Miocic could pick up an injury, and suddenly a fight between Tuivasa and Jones might become the obvious choice.
#2. Tai Tuivasa vs. Ciryl Gane
There is certainly an argument that Tai Tuivasa is now in a better position in the heavyweight division than Ciryl Gane. For starters, Tuivasa is on a four-fight win streak whilst Gane is coming off a loss. Additionally, both fighters' most recent wins came over Derrick Lewis and 'Bam Bam' picked up a quicker time.
Furthermore, with Gane's recent loss to champion Francis Ngannou, he will likely have to re-build himself somewhat to generate interest in a potential rematch. With that being said, Gane remains the No. 1 ranked fighter in the division and is clearly the biggest prize out there outside of a bout for the title.
While Gane is unlikely for an interim title bout, he could be booked if neither Jones nor Miocic come to terms. While Gane is probably an outsider for an interim title bout, you could theoretically book this bout in that spot should neither Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic come to terms.
#1. Tai Tuivasa vs. Stipe Miocic
You can't argue that the biggest possible matchup for Tai Tuivasa would be a crack at UFC gold. If he is to secure that privilege, it seems most likely that he would find himself up against arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time in Stipe Miocic.
As we've said, Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones appear to be in pole position for this fight. However, given Jones has had issues with the UFC, as well as outside of the octagon, and his status with the promotion seems to be a little up in the air at the moment, he seems the more likely of the two to end up not being involved.
This would create a monster interim title fight for the pair and give Tuivasa the chance to become an absolute mega-star. A win for him in that one would set up a title unification bout with Francis Ngannou, which would be a shocking development in the UFC.
